Easy Maintenance – Clear that Desktop!

Did you know that having many folders, images, old installers, and other files on your OS X desktop can cramp your Mac’s performance, including start-up time? This is because Desktop images are treated like dynamic windows, rather than static images.

Ideally, the OS X Desktop should only be used for temporary, short term storage. It’s best to keep all your files stored in their proper locations, as much a possible – documents in the Documents folder, photos and images in iPhoto or the Pictures folder, etc.

You can keep a junk folder in your Home Directory, or Documents folder, where you simply stash everything. You can drag that junk folder into your Dock, where it is always easily accessible.

There are a number of freeware and shareware apps to help you keep a clean desktop – Tinker Tools and sterCleanDesk are examples.

Now go clean your room!